December 18, 2006

Iraqi Army, Paratroopers Disrupt Terrorists in Turki

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20061218-32


Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army soldiers and Paratroopers detained five suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache Thursday during an air assault operation targeting terrorist cells in Turki Village near Balad Ruz.

Nearly 200 soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division and Paratroopers from 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd AirborneDivision conducted the air assault.

“This marks yet another successful mission by the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces to target specific terrorist cells throughout Diyala that wish to disrupt the daily lives of the innocent people of Iraq,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of the3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and senior U.S. Army officer in theDiyala province. “We will continue to conduct joint operations to disrupt their ability to bring fear to the people of Diyala.”

During the mission, a CF air weapons team identified two armed anti-Iraqi forces and engaged them, killing both AIF.

Continuing on patrol, the Soldiers discovered a cache containing a rocket propelled grenade, over 200 rounds of small-arms ammunition, six magazines of armor piercing ammunition, material for making improvised explosive devices, and other small arms munitions.

The Soldiers detained five suspected terrorists who were transferred to Forward Operating Base Caldwell and are pending transfer to FOB Warhorse.

“Today’s mission is a vital step for the people of Turki Village and the Balad Ruzarea, as it has continued to reduce the AIF’s ability to move through the area,”Sutherland said.

“Terrorist activities will not be tolerated and we will continue to bring the terrorists to justice,” he added.

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